In the spring of 2023, three founders—FAN, Yao Yiran —joined forces driven by a shared cultural vision and established “HSICHIKUNG” a platform dedicated to preserving traditional culture. The name, rich with poetic resonance, draws from the cultural origins of “Fu Xi’s drawing of the trigrams” in the I Ching and the practical spirit of “kowtowing and practicing earnestly” in the Rites of Zhou, symbolizing the team’s original aspiration to explore the roots of civilization with humility and reverence.

Over the past seven hundred days and nights, the founding team embarked on immersive fieldwork, venturing deep into the Himalayas, the Hengduan Mountains, and the Loess Plateau to trace the footsteps of history. In Tibet, the ancient Zhangzhung civilization and the millennia-old, unextinguished kiln fires of black pottery inspired reflections on the patterns of historical change and cultural legacy.

In Shanxi, the poetry of Tang dynasty poet Li He guided the team to discover ancient battlefield relics hidden within the Loess Plateau. After traversing architectural ruins spanning from the Tang to the Qing dynasties, a magnificent temple, concealed in the barren mountains, pierced the harsh reality like a vivid dream. To unravel the secrets of how these ancient structures have stood firm for centuries, the team journeyed south to the Jiangnan region, where they studied traditional woodworking techniques. It was there that they finally uncovered the reason for this enduring resilience: the ingenuity and determination of the craftspeople.

To share these exquisite discoveries with more like-minded friends, we have used incense as a medium, distilling all we have seen and felt into wisps of fragrance. From the scents and vessel designs to the naming, every detail expresses the unique charm of the cultural landscape we hold in our hearts. Thus, the Eastern mysticism fragrance brand Santimento was born.

Throughout our journey of creation and exploration, we have felt the profound depth and vitality of traditional culture, settled over its long history. Yet what has truly left us in awe are those connections between sensory experience and cultural heritage—the shared memories that resonate deeply within our souls, calling out to something ancient and universal within us.

We deeply understand that the continuity of civilization requires not only archival preservation but, even more importantly, creative reinvention.